Director, Public Affairs & Communications

Hanbury Strategy; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Annual discretionary bonus

Cycle to work scheme

Private health care (Vitality)

4 weeks abroad work policy

Job summary

Hanbury Strategy in London seeks a Director with expertise across Public Affairs and Communications to lead a broad client portfolio and drive growth. You will deliver strategic counsel and operational support across multiple sectors while running a thriving global consultancy.

The role requires at least 7 years of experience, a collaborative leadership style, and a track record of managing projects and cross‑team delivery in a fast paced environment. Hybrid working is offered.

Qualifications

• Has a shrewd understanding of the UK political, regulatory and media landscape.
• 7+ years of professional experience in consultancy, politics, a regulator, think tank, industry body or in-house PA/Comms roles.
• Dedicated to producing high quality work in a fast paced environment.
• Collaborative leadership style with a commitment to mentoring and developing talent within the organisation.
• Excellent interpersonal and influencing skills with senior stakeholders, both written and verbal.
• Wants to be part of a dynamic team and drive a positive working environment.
• Enjoys working with diverse backgrounds and opinions.

Responsibilities

• Experienced client handling. You will manage overall client relationships on a portfolio of around 8 client accounts, ensuring profitability, strategic alignment and efficient resource planning (with minimal oversight).
• Provide strategic regulatory and political analysis, media engagement advice and manage the delivery to daily products and services to clients.
• Consistent focus on anticipating challenges and adding value to clients and recognises opportunities to extend relationships.
• You will maintain financial oversight, foster cross‑team collaboration and lead by example through exceptional client delivery.
• You will be a key commercial driver in retaining clients and generating organic growth.
• In business development, directors lead the development of well‑structured and creative new business proposals - with minimal partner involvement - whilst coaching junior staff.
• Active in industry networking with a consistent track record of delivering growth.
• Own at least one marketing initiative and foster cross‑selling opportunities across the firm.
• Strong presentation skills and influencing skills.
• Champion excellence firm‑wide, promoting client successes and sharing best practices.
• Actively support and participate in company‑wide training and development programmes.
• Manage junior colleagues effectively through delegation, clear feedback, motivation, and professional development.
• Collaborate with Partners on recruitment, onboarding, and defining new roles.
• Proactively drive improvements to working practices across all teams.
• Directors support the development of a positive Hanbury culture and act as an advocate and ambassador for Hanbury both internally and externally.

Skills

Leadership

Client management

Business development

Communication

Mentoring & coaching

Job description

We turn insight into impact. Whether a client is facing a communications challenge or has a policy goal, our exceptional team uses our understanding of politics, public opinion and the press to create campaigns that work. We have a relentless focus on achieving great results for our clients.

Founded in 2016, Hanbury continues to focus on delivering client excellence and growing our business across offices in London, Brussels, Washington D.C. and Sydney.

We are looking to bring on board a driven Director with expertise across Public Affairs and Communications to lead a broad client portfolio and contribute to the ongoing growth of our business. This role will be pivotal in delivering strategic counsel and operational support to clients across multiple sectors and to helping to run this thriving global consultancy.

About You

The ideal candidate profile:

• Has a shrewd understanding of the UK political, regulatory and media landscape.
• Will have at least 7 years of professional experience working in consultancy, politics, a regulator, think tank, industry body or in‑house PA/Comms roles. Previous agency experience is particularly favoured.
• Is dedicated to producing high quality work and going the extra mile in a fast paced environment.
• Has a collaborative leadership style, with a commitment to mentoring and developing talent within the organisation.
• Has excellent interpersonal skills to encourage respectful debate and is not afraid to take risks.
• Has a proven track record of managing projects and leading project teams in a fast‑paced, delivery‑focused environment.
• Has excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to provide clear, concise advice to senior stakeholders, both in written and verbal forms.
• Wants to be part of a dynamic team and drive a positive working environment.
• Enjoys working with people with a diverse range of backgrounds and opinions.

Role and Responsibilities

Client Management

• Experienced client handling. You will manage overall client relationships on a portfolio of around 8 client accounts, ensuring profitability, strategic alignment and efficient resource planning (with minimal oversight).
• Provide strategic regulatory and political analysis, media engagement advice and manage the delivery to daily products and services to clients.
• Consistent focus on anticipating challenges and adding value to clients and recognises opportunities to extend relationships.
• You will maintain financial oversight, foster cross‑team collaboration and lead by example through exceptional client delivery.

Business Development

• You will be a key commercial driver in retaining clients and generating organic growth.
• In business development, directors lead the development of well‑structured and creative new business proposals - with minimal partner involvement - whilst coaching junior staff.
• Active in industry networking with a consistent track record of delivering growth.
• Own at least one marketing initiative and foster cross‑selling opportunities across the firm.
• Strong presentation skills and influencing skills.

Leadership & Development

• Champion excellence firm‑wide, promoting client successes and sharing best practices.
• Actively support and participate in company‑wide training and development programmes.
• Manage junior colleagues effectively through delegation, clear feedback, motivation, and professional development.
• Collaborate with Partners on recruitment, onboarding, and defining new roles.
• Proactively drive improvements to working practices across all teams.

Culture

• Directors support the development of a positive Hanbury culture and act as an advocate and ambassador for Hanbury both internally and externally.
• 28 days paid leave plus bank holidays and time off over Christmas.
• Annual discretionary bonus scheme.
• Normal working hours are 9am - 6pm.
• Electric vehicle scheme.
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan.
• The opportunity to opt in to Vitality including private health care and subsidised gym.
• We are a hybrid working employer.
• Work from abroad policy for up to 4 weeks a year.
• Access to a full social and cultural calendar and employee wellness programmes.
• A rich and diverse people development programme including fortnightly internal training sessions and a full annual programme of external trainers and inspirational speakers.

Hanbury Strategy is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of age, disability, gender or gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, sex or sexual orientation. As part of our commitment to equal opportunities, we are open to discussions about alternative working patterns or hours.

Please let us know if you need any reasonable adjustments to be made during recruitment or in employment for reasons associated with your physical or mental health. We are committed to ensuring everyone is able to fully participate in whatever way is most appropriate for them.